With the 26th pick in the 2012 NHL entry draft, the Canucks selected centre Brendan Guance from the Belleville Bulls of the Ontario Hockey League. Gaunce fits in with what Laurence Gilman told the Press the team was looking for: "If we were to assess a need we have, it'd be at forward, perhaps centre in particular." Gaunce tips the scales at close to 200 pounds, so he's another in a string of big forwards whom the Canucks have drafted in the past two years, and he plays in the OHL making him the third first round pick that the Canucks have selected from the Ontario Hockey League since Gillis took over as General Manager.

Despite reports from reputable sources from Ken Wiebe to Aaron Portzline, former Blue Jackets and Manitoba Moose head coach Scott Arniel has not yet finalized a deal with the Canucks - according to Vancouver's front-office (by way of Iain Macintyre).

The delay is vaguely reminiscent of last summer, when MacTavish's hiring was "confirmed" by Nick Kypreos, and then didn't occur for weeks. So while it's not final, presumably a deal remains close, and certainly Vancouver's head office has a high opinion of Arniel's abilities behind the bench.

The NHL Draft will go tonight in Pittsburgh, and for the Canucks and General Manager Mike Gillis, tonight will be interesting - if nothing else.

Of course it could be more than interesting - it could be earth-shattering. Vancouver's NHL club may not have any high picks (as usual) but they do have an albatross contract that they'd presumably like to move (Ballard), and more importantly a star goaltender on a "toxic deal" whose rumoured trade is causing absurd levels of speculation.

Draft night for the Canucks could also go off with a whimper, but with Cory Schneider in need of a new contract, and Roberto Luongo having publicly admitted he'd waive his no trade clause in late April, massive shock-waves would reverberate from that decision too. If the Canucks move Luongo it will be the biggest deal the team makes on draft day by a country mile (it would be one of the biggest moves in team history, really) and by that same token, if they keep Luongo that logic still holds.

Going into this evening's draft, only one thing is really certain: that whoever the team picks with the 26th selection in the 2012 NHL entry draft will be second page news in Vancouver's sports pages tomorrow morning. That is unless they move up...

Let's summarize the relevant chatter regarding Luongo and Vancouver's first round pick, and do our best to preview a day of uncertainty for the Vancouver Canucks. Click past the jump for more!

The NHL awards are always a treat! That is if you like jokes so bad that celebrities apologize for having to say them out loud, or otherwise they thank you for laughing. At least they took out Jay Mohr and replaced him with Will Arnett - a massive upgrade. That’s like going from a worn Men’s Warehouse suit to a fresh Armani.

Honestly, the NHL should hire me to write jokes and work as a fashion correspondent. I’d clear my schedule completely.

With that in mind, follow me past the jump for my favourite yearly tradition: hockey players in suits at the NHL awards show!